Suspects Embezzle $450,000 from County

San Mateo County's former financial director of the Mosquito and Vector Control District and her bookkeeper face up to eight years in state prison for embezzling more than $450,000 from the district, the County District Attorney's Office said.

Jo Ann Dearman - otherwise known as Joanne Seeney - and her bookkeeper Vika Sinipata reportedly conspired over a two-year period to embezzle the funds by giving themselves extra pay, a higher pay rate than they earned, fraudulent time off, excessive contributions to deferred compensation funds, using employee credit cards for personal purchases, and making electronic transfers into their personal bank accounts.

The DA's Office said, the embezzlement came to light when a member of the district's Board of Trustees noticed excessive expense overages.

The embezzlement took place between 2009 and 2011.

Dearman and Sinipata appeared in court Friday to face charges. 

Though Dearman's attorney, Geoff Carr, tried to get the case against the former financial director dismissed, Judge Jonathan Karesh denied the motion, instead throwing out only a single charge for destruction of public records. Carr stated on the record before the court Friday that Dearman plans to plead guilty to the charges.

Dearman's jury trial is set to begin on April 29. She is currently out of custody on $250,000 bail.

Sinipata previously pleaded no contest to the 12 felony charges against her - felony theft of government funds, felony embezzlement, and felony theft or destruction of public records - on Feb. 25. Sinipata is scheduled to appear in court again on April 29 for sentencing.

The maximum sentence allowed for the charges is eight years in state prison.

Sinipata is represented by attorney Alexander Cross. She is currently out of custody on $150,000 bail.

Do you think the two suspects should receive the maximum eight years in state prison for their crimes? Tell us your opinion in the comments below.

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